Social game and method of playing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each card has at least one task for the cardholder to attempt to successfully complete, such as at least one question to answer, at least one act to perform, at least one instruction to follow, and/or at least one fact, quote or saying to read. When a cardholder successfully completes a task, the cardholder earns a predetermined amount of points. Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess what the cardholder is acting or doing, the player that correctly answers may also earn at least one point. The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins the game. The game and method of the invention may be played using alcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game, but only by players twenty-one (21) years of age and older.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the samewherein players may attempt to complete tasks, such as answeringquestions, performing acts, following instructions, or reading facts,quotes, or sayings, in order to earn points upon successfully completingeach task. More particularly, the present invention is a social game andmethod of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each cardhas at least one task for a cardholder player to attempt to complete,such as at least one question for a cardholder player to answer, atleast one act for a cardholder player to perform, at least oneinstruction for a cardholder player to follow, or at least one fact,quote or saying for a cardholder player to read. When a cardholderplayer successfully completes a task on a card, a cardholder playerearns a predetermined amount of points. Additionally, where a taskrequires another player to guess what a cardholder player is acting, theplayer that correctly guesses/answers may also earn at least one point.The first player to earn a predetermined total number of points wins thegame. The present invention may also be played using alcoholic beveragesthroughout the course of the game, but only by players twenty-one (21)years of age and older.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Various board games and card games testing the knowledge and/or skill ofthe players have been known for years and have become popular in recentyears. These games generally involve a game board wherein a player movesalong a predetermined playing path described over a portion of theboard, with the playing path being common to all players. Playersadvance along the playing path according to each player's degree ofsuccess in correctly responding to randomly selected questions, usuallycontained in a deck of question and answer cards. The player having agreater knowledge in the given subject or field of the games almostalways wins the games. However, many of the questions in the games aredifficult or complex so that many average players cannot usually win thegames or even correctly respond to the questions. As such, the games maylast an exceptionally long time or players may become bored ordiscouraged, thereby leading them to quit playing the games before thereis a winner.

As such, a need exists for a social game wherein the players do morethan try to answer difficult and complex questions. Specifically, thereis a need for a social game where the players may be asked to do morethan just answer questions, such as perform specific acts or followspecific instructions, wherein any level of player may be successful andultimately be a potential winner of the game.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a social game and method of playing the samewherein players of various skill levels may attempt to complete tasks,such as answering questions, performing acts, following instructions, orreading facts, quotes or sayings, in order to earn points uponsuccessfully completing each task, and ultimately win the game. Moreparticularly, the present invention is a social game and method ofplaying the same comprising a plurality of cards. Each card has at leastone task for a cardholder player to attempt to complete, such as atleast one question for a cardholder player to answer, at least one actfor a cardholder player to perform, at least one instruction for acardholder player to follow, or at least one fact, quote or saying for acardholder player to read. When a cardholder player successfullycompletes a task, such as successfully answering a question, performingan act, following an instruction or reading a fact, quote or saying, acardholder player may earn a predetermined amount of points.Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess what thecardholder is acting or doing, the player that correctly guesses/answersmay also earn at least one point. The first player to earn apredetermined total number of points wins the game.

In the game of the present invention, the tasks listed on the pluralityof cards may be divided into a plurality of categories. The tasks ineach category may also be divided into various levels of difficulty. Thegreater the difficulty level of the task in the category, the morepoints that the task on the card is preferably assigned and the morepoints that a cardholder player may earn for successfully completing thetask.

The game and method of the present invention may also be played usingalcoholic beverages throughout the course of the game. This embodimentof the game may only be played by players twenty-one (21) years of ageand older. In this embodiment, when a cardholder player successfullycompletes a task, the cardholder player may earn the predeterminedamount of points that the task is assigned and may also distribute acorresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholicbeverage to at least one other player.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide asocial game and method of playing the same wherein a player of any skilllevel may win the game by being the first player to earn a predeterminedtotal number of points by successfully completing tasks, such asanswering questions, performing acts, and/or following instructions, andthereby earning the predetermined amount of points that the tasks areassigned.

Another primary object of the present invention is to provide a socialgame and method of performing the same for players twenty-one (21) yearsof age and older, wherein a player may win the game by being the firstplayer to earn a predetermined total number of points by successfullycompleting tasks, and earning the predetermined amount of points thatthe tasks are assigned, and upon earning those points, distributing acorresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholicbeverage to at least one other player.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a social game thatis fun, easy to understand and play, easy to transport and inexpensive,wherein a player wins the game by earning points by successfullycompleting a series of tasks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a card of the game of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a back view of an embodiment of the card of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a card of the game ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention is a social game andmethod of playing the same wherein players of various skill levels mayattempt to complete tasks, such as answering questions, performing acts,following instructions, or reading facts, quotes, or sayings, in orderto earn points upon successfully completing each task, and ultimatelywin the game. More particularly, the present invention is a social gameand method of playing the same comprising a plurality of cards 10. Eachcard 10 has at least one task 12 for a cardholder player to attempt tocomplete, such as at least one question for a cardholder player toanswer (and the correct answer), at least one act for a cardholderplayer to perform, at least one instruction for a cardholder player tofollow, and/or at least one fact, quote or saying for a cardholderplayer to read. When a cardholder player successfully completes a task12, such as successfully answering a question, performing an act,following an instruction, and/or reading a fact, quote or saying, thecardholder player may earn a predetermined amount of points 14.Additionally, where a task requires another player to guess/answer whatthe cardholder player is acting or doing, the player that correctlyguesses/answers may also receive at least one point, such as optionallyin the form of a chip or token, which serves as an incentive for theother players to try to guess the correct answer to the cardholderplayer's task 12. The first player to earn a predetermined total numberof points wins the game.

The game of the present invention may also be played using alcoholicbeverages throughout the course of the game. This embodiment of the gameof the present invention may only be played by players twenty-one (21)years of age and older. In this embodiment, when a cardholder playersuccessfully completes a task 12, as described above, the cardholderplayer may earn the predetermined amount of points 14 that the task 12is assigned and may also distribute a corresponding amount/number ofdrinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholic beverage to at least one otherplayer, as described hereinafter.

In the game of the present invention, the tasks 12 listed on theplurality of cards 10 may be divided into a plurality of categories. Thetasks 12 in each category may also be divided into various levels ofdifficulty. The greater the level of difficulty of the task 12 in thecategory, the more predetermined amount of points 14 that the card 10 ispreferably assigned and the more points that a cardholder player mayearn for successfully completing the task 12.

The level of difficulty of the task 12 of each card 10 may be listed onthe front 18 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 3, or on the back 20 ofthe card 10, as shown in FIG. 2, by a difficulty indicator 16. In apreferred embodiment, the difficulty indicator 16 is a diamond of aspecified color which illustrates the difficulty level of the task 12 onthe specific card 10. For example, a green diamond may represent an easylevel task, a red diamond may represent an intermediate level task, anda black diamond may represent a challenging level task. While apreferred difficulty indicator 16 is a diamond of a specified color, anysuitable indicator may be used to designate the level of difficulty ofthe task 12 on each card 10 including, but not limited to, any symbolhaving any color pattern, any number or set of numbers, any predefinedsymbol pattern, and any predefined marking or series of markings.

In a preferred embodiment of the game of the present invention, thepredetermined amount of points 14 that the task 12 of each card 10 isworth may also be listed on the front 18 of the card 10, as shown inFIG. 3, or on the back 20 of the card 10, as shown in FIG. 2. Thepredetermined amount of points 14 is preferably listed on the card 10near the difficulty indicator 16. Also in a preferred embodiment, thepredetermined amount of points 14 assigned to each task 12 ranges in apoint value from one point to eight points, wherein one point ispreferably assigned to the easiest level task and eight points ispreferably assigned to the most difficult or challenging level task.However, the predetermined amount of points 14 may be listed on the card10 in any location and any suitable point range may be utilized inaccordance with the game and method of the present invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the game, the plurality of cards 10 mayinclude at least one rule reminder card. The rule reminder card is aquick reference card that describes the general rules and reminders forthe game. Specifically, the rule reminder card may describe the meaningfor, but not limited to, Hints, “Act Out”, “*GrOuP*”, “Shhhhhh! Later!”,“Shhhhhh! Do so silently!”, social cards, and guessing cards. An exampleof a preferred rule reminder card is as follows:

EXAMPLE *Rule Reminder Card*

-   HINTS—person, place, thing, action, expression, celebrity, character    from a movie, character from a television show, character from a    book, and song title/lyric.-   “Act Out”—means to act like the person, place, or thing that is    written on the card. The player may use sounds and actions unless    noted otherwise.-   *GrOuP*—the participation of the whole group is required. The    cardholder will start, and moving clockwise the next player will    name another item in the listed category (e.g., type of flower). The    first player who cannot think of a new item (e.g., type of flower)    or repeats an answer that has already been given, thereby ends the    round. This player may also optionally drink a sip of an alcoholic    beverage.-   “Shhhhhh! Later!”—means do not tell the other players what you are    up to. Simply say the word “later”, which means you will do the task    later. The object is to catch the other players off guard and do    your task ‘discreetly’ later in the game.-   “Shhhhhh! Do so silently!”—means that you may not make any sound    during your performance of the task.-   Social cards—are for the cardholder only. Do not pass drinks out    during this round.-   Guessing Cards—All cards that say Hum and/or Act Out. These cards    are to be performed by the cardholder player and guessed by the    other players. The cardholder is allowed to give a basic hint to the    other players. (See HINTS).-   The cardholder receives the points of all cards that suggest a    partner.-   1 drink=1 small sip.

As described above, the tasks 12 on the plurality of cards 10 may bedivided into a plurality of various categories. In a preferredembodiment, the categories include, but are not limited to, Rock Stars,Usual Suspects, Theater, All That Word Jazz, Pranksters, Social Cardsand any other suitable category. Specifically, the Rock Stars categorypreferably comprises the tasks of humming a particular song so thatanother player may guess the song, performing a music related act sothat another player may guess the answer, and/or answering musicaltrivia questions. The answer to any trivia question is preferablylocated somewhere on that card 10, such as on the back 20 of the card10. The Usual Suspects category preferably comprises the tasks ofanswering random trivia questions relating to popular culture, knownfacts, and general trivia. The answer to any trivia question ispreferably located somewhere on that card 10, such as on the back 20 ofthe card 10. The Theater category preferably comprises the tasks of“acting out” various persons, places or things, such as in charades, sothat another player may guess the act. The All That Word Jazz categorypreferably comprises the tasks of performing various acts relating towords, slang and sounds. The Pranksters category preferably comprisesthe tasks of performing a dare, an act, a prank or a stunt. The SocialCards category preferably comprises (1) tasks to perform relating todrinking an alcoholic beverage, which is used in conjunction with analcoholic drinking embodiment of the game and/or (2) an interestingfact, quote or saying, which is used in conjunction with a non-alcoholembodiment of the game.

The following are examples of the types of tasks 12 in each of thepreferred categories and the preferred corresponding predeterminedamount of points 14 assigned to the task 12. While the examples of tasks12 in each of these categories and the predetermined amount of points 14are preferred, they are only illustrative and are not intended to limitthe invention. Example: Rock Stars Category 1 point Hum . . . “YMCA” 2points Act Out: playing the trumpet 2 points Do the moonwalk 3 pointsHum . . . “Hound Dog” by Elvis 4 points Hum . . . “Under the boardwalk”4 points Q: What was the longest Shakespeare play? A: Hamlet 5 pointsWith a prop, play an air instrument 6 points Imitate one of your friendsdancing (one group player must successfully guess who you are imitating)6 points Act Out: Elvis 7 points Sing like an Opera singer 7 points Q:How much does the biggest disco ball weigh? A: 304 lbs. 8 points Q: Howlarge is the largest playable guitar in the world? A: 38 ft. tall, 16ft. wide, weight 1,865 lbs.

Example: Usual Suspects Category 1 point Q: How many feet are in oneyard? A: 3 2 points Q: How many colors do M&Ms come in? A: six 3 pointsQ: Why does a desert get cold at night? A: There is no water to hold inthe heat from the daytime. 3 points Q: How do you tell the age of ahorse? A: the teeth 3 points Q: How fast can a cheetah run? A: 60 mph 4points Attempt to name everyone's favorite color. 4 points Q: Where isthe southern most point of the United States? A: Key West 5 points Q:Where is Mt. Rushmore? A: South Dakota 5 points Q: Which kind of jellyfish is the most harmful? A: man-of-war 6 points Q: Name the neareststar. A: the sun 6 points Q: What animal is the largest, most powerful,and most gentle? A: African elephant 7 points Q: Where is the largestwaterfall in the world located? A: Venezuela 8 points Q: How manyseconds are there in one hour? A: 3,600 8 points Q: How far away is thesun? A: 93 million miles

Example: Theater Category 1 point Act Out: golfing 2 points Act Out:surfing 2 points Act Out: a cowboy 3 points Act Out: an umpire 3 pointsAct Out: galloping on a horse (Shhhhhh! Do so silently!) 5 points ActOut: Spiderman 6 points Act Out: being chased by a bear 7 points ActOut: a shooting star 8 points Act Out: a clock (Shhhhhh! Do sosilently!)

Example: All That Word Jazz Category 1 point Talk like a valley girl. 3points *GrOuP* Name different types of flowers. 3 points *GrOuP* Namedifferent brands of shoes. 4 points Name as many words as you can thatbegin with “A”. 5 points Spell Mississippi backwards, without looking atthis card! One chance only. 6 points Make 3 words out of the followingletters: G E L N A (angle, angel, glean) 6 points Gobble like a turkey.7 points Make a noise like water dropping. 8 points Tell a real secret.

Example: Pranksters category 1 point High five everyone. 2 pointsPretend you have the hiccups. (Shhhhhh! Later!) 3 points Withoutlaughing, make someone else laugh. 4 points Pretend you slammed yourhand in a door. (Shhhhhh! Later!) 5 points Have a staring contest withthe person to your left. 6 points Do a magic trick. 7 points Act likeyou know everything. (Shhhhhh! Later!) 8 points Laugh annoyingly untilsomeone notices. (Shhhhhh! Later!)

Example: Social Cards Category 2 points Take a picture. LIFE IS TOOSHORT TO BE BITTER. 3 points Change the song that is playing or put asong on. TASTE SWEET BERRIES LIKE RAINDROPS FALL INTO BITTERSWEET LOVE.4 points Dance break. THE SUN'S DIAMETER IS 860,000 MILES. 5 points Do ahandstand for as long as you can. THERE IS OVER 140 MILLION SQUARE MILESOF UNEXPLORED OCEAN FLOOR. 6 points Take 2 shots of an alcoholicbeverage. ONE QUARTER OF THE BONES IN YOUR BODY ARE LOCATED IN YOURFEET. 7 points Spin in a circle for 30 seconds, then drink two sips ofan alcoholic beverage. PISTACHIOS COME FROM SMALL DECIDUOUS TREES WHICHARE NATIVE TO THE MIDDLE EAST.

Any card 10 may also have a suitable performance indicator 22 listedwith a task 12, such as shown in the examples above. A performanceindicator 22 directs the cardholder player in attempting the task 12. Assuch, a card 10 may have “*GrOuP*” listed with the task 12. This meansthat the entire group of players participates in this question. Thecardholder player is awarded the points for this task 12 if someoneother than the cardholder player cannot complete the task 12 during histurn. For example, a task may be “*GrOuP*: Name different types offlowers”. The cardholder player starts by naming a type of flower andthen each player must do the same. The round for this task 12 isfinished when a player cannot name a flower or repeats an answer alreadygiven by a previous player. The cardholder player earns thepredetermined amount of points 14 for the task 12 unless he is thereason that the round finished.

Any task 12 may be required to be discreetly performed later in the gameand indicated with a performance indicator 22. In a preferredembodiment, the later performance of a task 12 is preferably indicatedby the expression “Shhhhhh! Later!” listed with the task 12 on the card10. However, any suitable delay indicator may be used. Any card 10 mayalso have a performance indicator 22 such as “Shhhhhh! Do so silently!”listed with the task 12. In a preferred embodiment of the game, thecardholder player must perform this task 12 without making any sounds.While the above performance indicators 22 are preferred, any othersuitable performance indicators may also be used.

Any of the tasks 12 on the cards 10 may be timed. As such, thecardholder player may only have a predetermined amount of time tosuccessfully complete the task 12 to earn the predetermined amount ofpoints 14 assigned to the task 12. Accordingly, a timer may be includedas part of the game of the present invention.

The game of the present invention may be stored in any suitable case. Ina preferred embodiment, the case is a circular leather case with a metalzipper and a handle for easy transporting. The inside of the case mayhave at least one compartment for holding the plurality of cards 10.Preferably, the case has four circular compartments for holding thecards 10, timer and tokens. Separate containers may also be provided forstoring the timer and any chips or tokens inside of the case.

In a preferred embodiment, the method of playing the game of the presentinvention commences by a first player choosing any one card 10. Thecardholder player attempts to complete the task 12 listed on the chosencard 10. If the cardholder player successfully completes the task 12,the cardholder player earns the predetermined amount of points 14 listedon the card 10 and may optionally retain the card 10 in order to keep atally of the points that player has earned. In the embodiment of thegame played in conjunction with alcoholic beverages, when the cardholderplayer earns the predetermined amount of points 14 assigned to the task12 on the card 10, the cardholder player may also distribute acorresponding amount/number of drinks, i.e., sips, of an alcoholicbeverage to at least one other player. If the cardholder player does notsuccessfully complete the task 12, the cardholder player does not earnthe predetermined amount of points 14, does not distribute a number ofdrinks to at least one other player and may discard the card 10 into aseparate pile. When the cardholder player successfully completes thetask 12, he may continue to choose additional cards and attempt tocomplete the tasks 12 thereon until he is unsuccessful, or eachcardholder player may be limited to attempting to complete only one task12 during each turn.

The method of playing the game then continues by the next playerchoosing a card 10 and proceeding as detailed above. The game continuesuntil a player earns a predetermined total number of points. In apreferred embodiment, the predetermined total number of points is 250points. However, any suitable total number of points may be used, suchas, but not limited to, 100 points for a shorter game or 350 points fora longer lasting game.

Throughout the game, as a cardholder player attempts to successfullycomplete a listed task 12, he may use at least one predetermined hint.The at least one predetermined hint is preferably used with tasks 12that require another player to correctly guess/answer what thecardholder player is acting or doing, wherein the hint assists the otherplayers in guessing the correct answer to the task 12. In a preferredembodiment, the at least one predetermined hint may include, but is notlimited to, person, place, thing, action, expression, celebrity,character from a movie, character from a television show, character froma book, song title/lyric, and any other suitable hint. For example, if acard 10 has the task 12 of: “Act Out: Bob Barker from The Price IsRight”, the cardholder player may hint to the other players that theanswer is a celebrity. Any of the hints may be used for any task 12 inany category whenever desired.

The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to beexhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. Theexemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain theprinciples of the present invention so that others skilled in the artmay practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled in theart, various modifications can be made within the scope of the aforesaiddescription. Such modifications being within the ability of one skilledin the art form a part of the present invention and are embraced by theappended claims.

1. A device for playing a social game wherein a player wins the game byearning a predetermined total number of points by successfullycompleting tasks comprising: a plurality of cards, wherein each card ofsaid plurality of cards has at least one task to be completed by acardholder player, wherein said at least one task includes at least oneof (1) answering a question, (2) performing an act, (3) following aninstruction and/or (4) reading a fact, quote or saving, wherein eachsaid at least one task on each card of said plurality of cards isassigned a predetermined amount of points, whereupon said cardholderplayer earns said predetermined amount of points by successfullycompleting said at least one task.
 2. The device for playing a socialgame according to claim 1, further comprising: a timing device fortiming said at least one task on said each card.
 3. The device forslaving a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least onetask on said each card corresponds to at least one category.
 4. Thedevice for playing a social game according to claim 3, wherein said atleast one category includes at least one of Rock Stars category, UsualSuspects category, Theater category, All That Word Jazz category,Pranksters category, Social Cards category and any combination thereof.5. (canceled)
 6. The device for playing a social game according to claim3, wherein said at least one task in said at least one category rangesin degrees of difficulty from easy or simple to difficult orchallenging.
 7. The device for playing a social game according to claim1, wherein said at least one task ranges in degrees of difficulty fromeasy or simple to difficult or challenging.
 8. The device for playing asocial game according to claim 1, wherein at least one card of saidplurality of cards has a difficulty indicator which indicates a level ofdifficulty of said at least one task on said at least one card of saidplurality of cards.
 9. The device for playing a social game according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one task requires said cardholder playerto perform an act so that said plurality of players attempt to correctlyanswer what said cardholder player is acting or doing, wherein a playerfrom a plurality of players that correctly answers what said cardholderplayer is acting or doing earns at least one point.
 10. The device forplaying a social game according to claim 1, wherein each card of saidplurality of cards has a predetermined amount of points which isassigned to said at least one task on said each card.
 11. The device forplaying a social game according to claim 1, wherein said at least onetask has a performance indicator which aids said cardholder player incompleting said at least one task.
 12. A method of playing a social gamewherein a player wins the game by earning a predetermined total numberof points by successfully completing tasks comprising: (a) selecting aplayer to commence said game from a plurality of players; (b) randomlyselecting a card from a plurality of cards by a cardholder player; (c)attempting to successfully complete at least one task listed on saidcard by said cardholder player, wherein said at least one task includesat least one of (1) answering a question, (2) performing an act, (3)following an instruction and/or (4) reading a fact, quote or saving,wherein said cardholder player earns a predetermined amount of pointsassigned to said at least one task if said cardholder playersuccessfully completes said at least one task and wherein saidcardholder player does not earn said predetermined amount of points ifsaid cardholder player does not successfully complete said at least onetask on said card; and (d) repeating (b) and (c) by said cardholderplayer or by a next player until one of said plurality of players earnsa predetermined total number of points, thereby winning said game. 13.The method of playing a social game according to claim 12, wherein saidat least one task is selected from at least one category.
 14. The methodof playing a social game according to claim 13, wherein said at leastone category includes at least one of Rock Stars category, UsualSuspects category, Theater category, All That Word Jazz category,Pranksters category and Social Cards category.
 15. (canceled) 16.(canceled)
 17. The method of playing a social game according to claim12, wherein said predetermined amount of points is selected from a valueranging from one point to eight points.
 18. The method of playing asocial game according to claim 12, wherein said at least one taskrequires said cardholder player to perform an act so that said pluralityof players attempt to correctly answer what said cardholder player isacting or doing, wherein a player from said plurality of players thatcorrectly answers what said cardholder player is acting or doing earnsat least one point.
 19. The method of playing a social game according toclaim 12, further comprising: distributing a number of drinks of analcoholic beverage by said cardholder player to at least one of saidplurality of players, wherein said number of drinks corresponds to saidpredetermined amount of points earned by said cardholder player forsuccessfully completing said at least one task.